BWCA Anyone used an otter tail or voyaguer paddle? Boundary Waters Gear Forum
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04/16/2020 10:00AM  
Is anyone here used a Ottertail or voyaguer canoe paddle, what are thoughts about them? Looking at making my own paddle and trying to make up my mind between each one of these maybe I'll just make both.
 
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04/17/2020 02:55PM  
After using a bent shaft paddle I made for about 10 years and really liking it, I decided to try and make an otter tail. I found it to be a great paddle for lake paddling. Much quieter in the water, I could paddle all day and not get tired, yet I maintained the same speed as the other boats in my group. My only fault with it was the guy who made it made the shaft a little too narrow and it cracked when I lent it to a friend. As soon as I get my stripper boat done I intend on making another.

I think I may try making a voyageur also to see if the pointed shoulder of the blade helps the water from the blade drip off like a drip ring on a kayak paddle.
 
justpaddlin
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04/29/2020 08:07PM  
CanoeViking: "Is anyone here used a Ottertail or voyaguer canoe paddle, what are thoughts about them? Looking at making my own paddle and trying to make up my mind between each one of these maybe I'll just make both."


I'm no expert on long-bladed paddles. I think it's probably a matter of personal preference. Most of my paddling is on rivers and I like short/stubby blades because for me they are most versatile. I'm not sure that I even know how to use a Voyaguer paddle. That said my one comment is that I think the ottertail may be more commonly enjoyed by more people. My favorite long bladed paddle is a Grey Owl Chieftain. I like the cherry Ottertail in the pic (middle) more than the Voyaguer. But I'd defer to the opinions of Canadian paddlers.



 
Bradv
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04/29/2020 09:09PM  
I use a Badger Badgertail, a beavertail shape and love it for Canadian Stroke. I can do my correcting on the recovery gliding through the water. Also, with wooden gunwales it’s super quiet and I can sneak up on all kinds of wildlife. I like the beavertail for its versatility in shallow water. I believe an Ottertail would be even more quiet and easier on the shoulders. It would be remiss to say, that aesthetics play a just as big of role as function in my traditional paddle choice. Oiled cherry is always going to be a stunner in my books. This iPhone pick doesn’t really do it it justice either.

 
Bradv
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04/29/2020 09:27PM  
Friends don’t let’s friends borrow their best paddles... That one had to hurt.
 
05/01/2020 07:34AM  
After using an Ultra-Light Zav for quite some time, I switched out for a Badger I've had (mostly for decoration!) for awhile on our WCPP trip last June. Really ended up liking it. Gentle on the body and quiet are right. Liked being able to leave it at least partly in the water on the return strokes too. The weight vs. the Zav was noticeable, of course, but nowhere near a deal-breaker for me.
 
Moonpath
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05/02/2020 09:35AM  
Yes, I use an ash otter tail paddle regularly for tripping. I bought it years ago at REI. It is a Canadian brand no longer in business. What I like about the ash otter tail is the amount of feel you receive in the shaft when paddling. You can actually feel it bend a bit and push the canoe forward. It is also useful for making subtle maneuvers from the stern to correct course. The downsides are weight, they are heavier than most premium bent shafts and require periodic maintenance such as sanding and re-varnishing. Yet, being a solid piece of wood their beauty is hard to match. They also do not work well in rapids or rocky rivers where you need to push off of rocks a lot. They are mainly lake paddles. The type of wood you use can also make a difference. Cherry is firmer and stiffer than ash for example. While not everyone’s cup of tea, I find using a traditional all wood, non laminated paddle very rewarding and asthetically pleasing and recommend that you try it. The otter tail reaches deeper and is narrower than the beaver tail and for me, the former works better and I have used both.
 
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